Lists, context, and the unwritten picture

Santa's list becomes a playful database for an organization too large to manage reliably from memory. Important facts include birthdays and family circumstances, while relevant context explains why someone holds a preference or approaches negotiation in a particular way. Coal also changes value with context: it may be disappointing as a toy, yet it can keep a household warm or help cook Christmas lunch. Both facts and context matter when leaders look after a team or deal with clients. Collecting facts alone can leave the unwritten part of a situation invisible. A better-informed counterpart can then recognize what is happening and act before a leader who has ignored those signals.